Background Informations:
On 3 December 2006, the State Post Bureau issued a two-piece
set of special stamps, entitled "Heavenly Steed ", with a total face value of 2.4yuan. The pictures on the stamps are named "Heavenly Steed(detail)" and "Heavenly Steed(detail)", respectively.
The painting Heavenly Steed,122 centimeters in width and 27.5 centimeters in height,was drawn on a silk scroll in strong colors.The painting took its name from the golden inscription "Heavenly Steed by Han Gan",remaining fragmentally on its front brocade border.However,modern textual research has led to the suspicion that the painting was an imitation done in the Five Dynasties period(907-960)of the original work of the Tang Dynasty(618-907).The Heavenly Steed presents a scene of Zhidun,a monk of Eastern Jin Dynasty(317-420),a horse lover,appreciating a horse.In the picture,Zhidun,wearing cassock and carrying a cane on one shoulder,is seated on a rock beside a river.An atendant stands at Zhidun's side,holding up an eagle.The man in a high cap sitting opposite to Zhidun looks easy and relaxed in posture.He and Zhidun are watching a steed drawing near upon waves.The bou on the horse holds a wooden stick and looks happy and content.The unsaddled horse advances forward in vigorous strides,holding its head up.It walks freely upon waves as if galloping on flat ground. Man and the horse are lifelike both in appearance and spirit.THe steed and the boy are made the focus of the whole painting,exhibiting the masterly artistic skill of the painter.The waves are meticulously executed;the gazes of the two men are rapt;and the horse gallops vigorously.It is really a masterpiece of ancient Chinese painting.This painting had been collected in the imperial house of Song,Yuan,Ming and Qing dynasties from 960 to 1911.Pu Yi,the last Qing Emperor,took it out from the Imperial Palace and sold it.Finally,this painting ended up in Liaoning Provincial Museum.
Zhidun(314-366)was well-versde in Buddhist doctrine and literature.Once someone presented him 50 taels(1 tael≈38 g)of gold and a steed.Zhidun gave the gold out to others,but kept the steed and often went to see it.Some derided him as unwise.Zhidun said in response,"I love the majestic demeanor of the steed,so I'd like to keep it."Famous Tang poet Du Fu mrote in his poem A Drawing of a Horse by General Cao at Secretary Wei Feng's House,"See how these nine horses all vie with one another / They look around,aloof and elegant in demeanor / If talking of who is true lover of horse / Wei Feng in later years and Zhidun in the past."
China National Philatelic Corporation will release
an FDC.
